The Other British Men

A new first time singles champion this week as Josh Ward-Hibbert captures his first singles title on the main tour. Same age as Broady and once a top 10 junior but has struggled a lot in the last year or two. All went downhill when he left Soto for the NTC incidentally, and he's returned to form since leaving.

A great week this week as 8th seed saw him beat the 4th seed 1&5 and thrash the 6th seed 2&0, before today seeing off the 5th seed 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 (having lead 6-2, 3-1, 15-40 at one point - and then 5-2 in the third) for the title.

Josh should rise into the top 600 for the first time now, and joins a myriad of players in the 500s.

This year has seen great years for most of the top 13 (bar Murray and Evans) with most making significant progress (a few - Smethurst and Alex Ward - heavily disrupted by injuries). However sadly the rest have not done so well (given there were 19 in the top 500 at one point a year or two ago - but far less in the top 300), with a fair few players falling back and others retiring completely.

Hopefully those in the top 400 that have progressed so well can continue to push on next season (and there's no reason why they won't - particularly the likes of Broady, Edmund, Willis, etc), whilst those lurking in the 500s like Bambridge and Ward-Hibbert can really push on.

According to the Daily Fail (which I don't like as a paper, but I like Mike and his Tennis coverage and follow him on twitter) Aljaz Bedene rushed through his paperwork, the citizenship and English tests, to ensure he had them in before 1st Jan 2015 when the ITF changed its rules to prevent players who change nationality playing for 2 different countries in Davis Cup matches. He has his eyes on the US Tie in March - I still think Wardy will be player 2

Aljaz was defeated by Stan in Chennai Final - Aljaz has had a hell of a tournament - taking out 3 seeds (3rd, 5th and another) on the way to the final after coming through qualifying

I watched this match. Aljaz has a a good first and second serve which makes a difference. Didn't seem to be that flustered by a final against Wawrinka but the Swiss looked confident. Was a bit shocked that Stan could not hold a cricket bat properly (to dispense balls to the crowd after). Picked up as a woman usually does. Just an observation from past experience of playing mixed cricket not a slur on women kind nor Stan! For those interested he reversed his grip, right handed, to right above left hand. Made his strike very flat batted!

Dan Smethurst won in his comeback tournament in the first British futures of the year, beating Dan Cox in the final. Smethurst is defending a huge amount of points from the first few months of last year, but barely any from the second after injuries. Willis and Farquharson made the semis.

In the second Futures - which took place last week - it was Dan Cox who won the title, beating Alex Ward (another making a comeback from injury) in the final. James Marsalek made the semis.

And today there were 'upsets' for Smethurst and Willis, who beat Arnaboldi (5th seed, WR190) and Viola (8th seed, WR 185) respectively - with Willis dropping just 4 games. Corrie beat Ward to make it 3 Brits into R2, whilst Cox and Milton play tomorrow. Moore lost 3&1 to another Italian Marcora (WR 233), but by all means put up a pretty decent fight given his age.

Cox won his R1 match and then beat Smethurst 4&0 in an all-British R2. Corrie beat 4th seed Martin 4&6 to join him in the QFs, whilst Willis went down 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to the in-form Authom.

In the QFs Cox came agonisingly close to beating the top seed Nedovyesov - Cox served for the match in both the second and third set, and held match points at 6-5* in the second, but somehow lost 1-6, 7-6(4), 7-5. Corrie went down 4&2 to Desein.

So given that none of the Brits actually got in on ranking, I think four making the second round and two of those making the QFs is still a pretty decent tally - especially when you consider our top 4 Brits were all (bar Murray) involved in other tournaments around the globe.

Cox won his R1 match and then beat Smethurst 4&0 in an all-British R2. Corrie beat 4th seed Martin 4&6 to join him in the QFs, whilst Willis went down 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to the in-form Authom.

In the QFs Cox came agonisingly close to beating the top seed Nedovyesov - Cox served for the match in both the second and third set, and held match points at 6-5* in the second, but somehow lost 1-6, 7-6(4), 7-5. Corrie went down 4&2 to Desein.

So given that none of the Brits actually got in on ranking, I think four making the second round and two of those making the QFs is still a pretty decent tally - especially when you consider our top 4 Brits were all (bar Murray) involved in other tournaments around the globe.

Went to this event thursday & friday. Seen both of Corries matches. He played ok but in the quarters yest he was outplayed by a guy that i cant mind his name but it sounds like a serial killer! He must have played well again today as hes thro to final.

The way these players are treated by the LTA is quite frankly pathetic. Four players aged 24 or under have already retired in the last year (two of them top 400 players) and the way it's going, only James, Kyle and Liam are going to be left (besides Andy).